Sittings with Friends, Pets and Kiddies

Are you wondering where you can go to get photos of yourself, your kids or your pets taken with the Big Christmas Guy himself? Not to fear: you’re on the right list.

The Hill Rag has received a press release issued by the North Pole announcing Santa’s appearances in our neighborhood. During many of this year’s visits, Santa is helping to raise funds for local schools, children, and underdog pets.

Visits are listed by date and location, indicating photo prices and whether a photographer is available or if you should bring your camera. Sittings where Santa will be wearing his pet-friendly suit, in order to allow for portraits with furry friends in addition to variously hirsute humans, are indicated by a 🐶.

Santa will be visiting the green scene at the Frager’s Garden Center in the lot behind 1123 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Bring kids and (well-behaved leashed) pets to enjoy hot apple cider, holiday-themed crafts, gift ideas, great deals on holiday decor, a Letters to Santa station, and photos with the Big Man himself. It’s also a great time to check out the trees, wreathes, garland and more.

Santa is coming to the Brent Elementary School PTA Holiday Sale on the first weekend in December. Bring your camera and take multiple photographs to get that perfect holiday card. Humans and well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome. While you’re there, enjoy holiday music from Brent dads Josh Brunstein (vocals) and Gordon Tenney (keyboard) as you browse the trees, wreaths and greenery at the Holiday Sale. Did you know tree delivery is available on the Hill? Tuesday (Nov. 27th) is the last day to pre-order online!

Congressional Cemetery’s annual Photos with Santa event takes place Sunday, Dec. 2nd. For a suggested donation of $35, you will receive a personal thumb drive of all the images taken. Organizers are accepting a maximum of 5 sittings per half hour, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Register online to choose a time that works best for you. Both people and pups are welcome!

Join Rural Dog Rescue to get photos taken of your pets –be they human or furrier– with Santa and enjoy drink specials at The Brig (1007 Eighth St. SE)! The Brig is dog and kid friendly, and will offer drink specials. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, wear your ugliest Christmas sweaters, dress your up your pup, friends and/or kids and just get festive. No registration for photos is necessary, just a $10 donation.

The photo event follows the annual 5K Reindeer Run or 1 Mile Reindeer Walk, the annual fun run raising funds for Rural Dog Rescue. The run begins at 10 a.m. at Howl to the Chief (733 Eighth St SE). 100% of the proceeds from both events go to help Rural Dog Rescue save lives of dogs frequently overlooked in high-kill shelters.

Santa comes to East City Bookshop Saturday, Dec. 8 as part of a fundraiser for CHCNS, the cooperative preschool also known as Ms. Frances. Image: Courtesy CHCNS

You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout I’m telling you why…

Santa Claus is coming to East City Bookshop at the request of Capitol Hill Cooperative Nursery School (aka Ms. Frances). Photos will be $20 and are taken by a professional photographer.

Come get your kiddo’s photo taken with Santa Dec. 8 and support CHCNS, a parent-run cooperative on the Hill since 1960. Ms. Frances has been with CHCNS for more than 30 years. She’ll be stopping by to join in the holiday cheer! ❄️🎅🏼🎄

Come to Coldwell Banker (605 Pennsylvania Ave SE) on Saturday, Dec. 8th to celebrate the season with professional photos with Santa, face painting, the traditional Holiday windows and a half-price kid’s meal courtesy of Mr. Henry’s.

Coldwell Banker is also collecting gifts for children at Hill area schools. Visit bit.ly/ToyDriveAtCB to select a registered gift and bring it that day or ship it unwrapped to the office by Dec. 8. Text questions to 202-203-8180.

Miss Patricia helps a superhero get ready last year. She will be painting faces Dec. 15 as Barracks Row Main Street brings Santa to Taoti Creative.

Santa has been invited to Eighth by Barracks Row Main Street, and he’s coming to a holiday party! Parents can take photos of children and pets indoors with St. Nick himself, and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, coffee and snacks from Ted’s Bulletin (505 Eighth St SE). There will be face painting by Miss Patricia, who has done face painting at the White House –kids just love her magic. There will be letter-writing stations for kids to write lists or messages to Santa. Santa will also be accepting unused, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. Santa arrives at 1 p.m., a few minutes after the 11 a.m. pajama party showing of Polar Express at Miracle Theatre wraps up across the street. Just saying.

Do you know of any other visits from Old Saint Nick? Let us know! Email the holiday beat reporter at Liz@hillrag.com